Bikers set to ride hundreds of miles for charity

THIS weekend two friends will be taking on hundreds of miles on their motorcycles as they travel from John O'Groats to Lands End.

Shawn Ballard, from Ravenhurst in Pinvin, and Mike Fowler, of Newlands, Pershore, are planning to take on the journey of 906 miles - as they will be avoiding all motorways - on Saturday, June 21.

And they are hoping to do the whole trip within 24 hours.

But the challenge doesn't end there as the pair will be riding on bikes that have cost them less than £300 to buy and no more than £100 to get roadworthy.

"It came about off the back of a magazine challenge," said 44-year-old Mr Ballard. "They do a run every year for cancer and we decided to go the same thing but for our own charities."

Mr Ballard will be raising money for Acorns Children's Hospice while 49-year-old Mr Fowler will be supporting the Alzheimer's Society.

"It's been very difficult funding a bike from less than £300," added Mr Ballard. "Me and Mike have actually bought bikes that weren't running at the time and worked on them to get them running ourselves and got them an MOT certificate.

"It's been a bit of a struggle. It's all been done by our own hands.

"We are hoping to complete the challenge within 24 hours but we won't put anyone at risk if people are getting tired.

"If we drive it straight it would take 19.5 hours so it's a bit of a challenge.

"I am quite worried about the challenge now it's quite near. We will probably end up taking a big bag of spanners with us for the way."

To back the pair visit justgiving.com/Shawn-Ballard or justgiving.com/Michael-Fowler2.